Thoroughbred betting up almost 12 percent in August

According to figures released Wednesday by Equibase, almost $1.1 billion was wagered last month, up 11.64 percent from August 2011. Purses were up 21.44 percent, to $117 million, and the number of race days rose 9.3 percent, to 576.

Year-to-date, wagering is up 2.29 percent, to $7.7 billion; purses are up 8.39 percent, to $747.5 million; and the number of race days is up 1.81 percent, to 3,662.